U.S. patent application number 11/101538 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-03 for creating and sharing digital photo albums.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Hill, Gerard Anthony, Powlett, David, Thomson, Richard.
Application Number | 20050243381 11/101538 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35186767 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050243381 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hill, Gerard Anthony ; et
al. |
November 3, 2005 |
Creating and sharing digital photo albums
Abstract
A system (1321) for accessing an image album comprising a
plurality of source images over a network (1305) is disclosed. A
representation of the image album is stored on a server (1301). The
system (1321) comprises means (1304) for downloading, from the
server (1301), the representation of the image album. The means
(1304) accesses a reduced resolution version of a said one of the
plurality of source images dependent upon the representation of the
album, and retrieves, from a storage device (eg 1302) located
remotely from the server (1301), the source image corresponding to
the reduced resolution version.
Inventors: |
Hill, Gerard Anthony; (New
South Wales, AU) ; Thomson, Richard; (New South
Wales, AU) ; Powlett, David; (New South Wales,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
35186767 |
Appl. No.: |
11/101538 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/453 ;
358/1.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/0014 20130101;
H04N 1/387 20130101; H04N 1/00132 20130101; H04N 1/00244 20130101;
H04N 1/00164 20130101; H04N 1/00148 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/453 ;
358/001.15 |
International
Class: |
H04N 001/387; G06F
015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 8, 2004 |
AU |
2004901911 |
Claims
1. A method of accessing, over a network, an image album comprising
a plurality of source images, wherein a representation of the image
album is stored on a server, the method comprising the steps of:
downloading, from the server, the representation of the image
album; accessing a reduced resolution version of a said one of the
plurality of source images dependent upon the representation of the
album; and retrieving, from a storage device located remotely from
the server, the source image corresponding to the reduced
resolution version.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the representation of the
album comprises at least; a theme or a reference thereto for the
album; a page layout or a reference thereto for the album;
resolution information or a reference thereto for the source
images; and identifiers or references thereto for the source
images.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the representation of the
album is the album file and further comprises said reduced
resolution version of the source image.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the reduced resolution
version is stored on the server.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the reduced resolution
version is stored on a remote storage device.
6. A method according to claim 2, wherein prior to the downloading
step, the method comprises the further steps of: assembling, in a
visually displayed scratch pad, said plurality of source images
from at least one image repository; compiling the assembled source
images from the scratch pad to form the image album; and forming
the representation of the image album.
7. A method according to claim 2, wherein prior to the downloading
step, the method comprises the further steps of: forming the
representation of the image album; uploading the representation of
the image album to the server; and sending, to at least one
recipient machine, a link to the representation of the image album,
said recipient machine thereby being able to access the
representation of the image album on the server.
8. A method according to claim 1, wherein, in relation to a
particular source image: the particular source image is a high
resolution image; and the corresponding reduced resolution version
is at least one of a low resolution image derived from the
particular source image, and a medium resolution image derived from
the particular source image.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein, in relation to a
particular source image: the particular source image is a low
resolution image; and the corresponding reduced resolution image is
the particular source image.
10. A method according to claim 6 wherein: the compiled image album
comprises high resolution source images; and the high resolution
images are stored on at least one of (a) the machine upon which the
image album was compiled and (b) another machine, being a peer of
the machine upon which the image album was compiled, said other
machine being accessible over the network.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the recipient machine
can access an image in the compiled album via at least one of the
server, the machine upon which the album was compiled, and the
other peer machine.
12. A method according to claim 6, wherein the image repository is
one of stored locally on a machine upon which the album is created,
and stored on a remote machine that is accessible over the
network.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the assembling step
comprises the steps of: selecting a first image from the repository
and placing, in accordance with a pre-defined scheme, the first
image in a first designated position in the scratch pad; and
selecting a second image from the repository and placing, in
accordance with the pre-defined scheme, the second image in a
second designated position in the scratch pad; wherein the relative
positions of the assembled first and second images in the scratch
pad conform to the pre-defined scheme.
14. A method according to claim 13, wherein between the assembling
step and the compiling step, the method comprises the further step
of: reassembling the images in the scratch pad by at least one of
rearranging the relative positions of the images in the scratch pad
and deleting at least one of the images in the scratch pad.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the scratch pad is a
linear image array.
16. A method according to claim 7, wherein: the link supports mere
viewing of the representation of the image album; and the access is
provided by sending the representation of the image album from the
server to the recipient machine in web page format enabling the
recipient machine to view the album using web browser software.
17. A method according to claim 7, wherein: the link supports
viewing and manipulation of the representation of the image album;
and the access is provided by sending the representation of the
image album from the server to the recipient machine in a format
enabling the recipient machine to view and manipulate the received
representation of the image album using album creation and sharing
software.
18. A method according to claim 16 wherein the web page format
utilises one or more of HTML, CSS, JPG, GIF and Javascript.
19. A method according to claim 17 wherein the format utilises one
or more of XML and JPG.
20. An apparatus for accessing, over a network, an image album
comprising a plurality of source images, wherein a representation
of the image album is stored on a server, the apparatus comprising:
means for downloading, from the server, the representation of the
image album; means for accessing a reduced resolution version of a
said one of the plurality of source images dependent upon the
representation of the album; and means for retrieving, from a
storage device located remotely from the server, the source image
corresponding to the reduced resolution version.
21. A computer program product having a computer readable medium
having a computer program recorded therein for directing a
processor to effect a method of accessing, over a network, an image
album comprising a plurality of source images, wherein a
representation of the image album is stored on a server, the
program comprising: code for downloading, from the server, the
representation of the image album; code for accessing a reduced
resolution version of a said one of the plurality of source images
dependent upon the representation of the album; and code for
retrieving, from a storage device located remotely from the server,
the source image corresponding to the reduced resolution version.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a method of creating and
sharing an image album.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Currently, creation and sharing of new image collections is
cumbersome and time consuming. One current approach to creating a
new image collection entails copying and pasting desired images
from various historic image repositories directly into a new
document. This limits the ability of the collection creator to
easily and conveniently create a desired image order and
arrangement in the new document. Furthermore, sharing the new
collection typically is performed by emailing the new collection to
selected recipients. This can cost the collection creator
significant time and consume significant network resources, and
does not enable the collection creator to easily and conveniently
keep track of what has been sent to whom.
SUMMARY
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to substantially
overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages of
existing arrangements.
[0004] Disclosed are arrangements which seek to address the above
problems.
[0005] A number of terms are used throughout this description. An
"album" (alternately referred to as an image album) refers to the
collection of source images, arranged in a desired format, which is
created and shared. The album typically comprises two components,
one being an "album file" (also referred to as the representation
of the album) and the other being the collection of source images.
The collection of source images can, in some cases, be directly
incorporated into the album file, in which case the album is the
album file. In most cases however, particularly when the images are
large, the album comprises the aforementioned two components. The
terms "album" and "album file" are, in some cases, used
interchangeably, and the particular meaning intended to be ascribed
to the terms can be ascertained from the context. The album file,
in the typical case, comprises references to the source images in
the image collection, format information defining how the album is
laid out and presented, and resolution information about the
images.
[0006] Typically, the source images are high resolution images. In
this case, the disclosed arrangements provide album recipients with
a responsive technique for viewing the album, by enabling reduced
resolution versions of the high resolution source images to be
accessed directly from a server. The high resolution source images
can be accessed, from the server or from another machine, if the
high resolution images are of interest. If the source images are
moderate or low resolution images, then the aforementioned approach
is not necessary, and the album recipient can access the source
images directly.
[0007] In regard to creation of a new album, a visually displayed
intermediate assembly scratch pad (also referred to as a "tray") is
provided. The tray comprises a convenient mechanism for performing
an initial assembly of source images, prior to compiling the
assembled images into the new album. The tray also enables an
initial assembly of selected source images to be re-arranged, prior
to the album compilation.
[0008] In regard to sharing of the album, a representative but
smaller version of the album is uploaded to a central server, from
where it is accessible by selected recipients. The recipients are
notified by email that the album is available. Such an email
typically includes two hyperlinks for accessing the server. One
link facilitates a "viewing only" mode, this being useful for
recipients who wish only to view the album. Another link
facilitates both viewing, and also manipulation and copying of the
album, perhaps in order for the recipient to create a further new
album using the first album as an image repository.
[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of accessing, over a network, an image album
comprising a plurality of source images, wherein a representation
of the image album is stored on a server, the method comprising the
steps of:
[0010] downloading, from the server, the representation of the
image album;
[0011] accessing a reduced resolution version of a said one of the
plurality of source images dependent upon the representation of the
album; and
[0012] retrieving, from a storage device located remotely from the
server, the source image corresponding to the reduced resolution
version.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an apparatus for accessing, over a network, an image
album comprising a plurality of source images, wherein a
representation of the image album is stored on a server, the
apparatus comprising:
[0014] means for downloading, from the server, the representation
of the image album;
[0015] means for accessing a reduced resolution version of a said
one of the plurality of source images dependent upon the
representation of the album; and
[0016] means for retrieving, from a storage device located remotely
from the server, the source image corresponding to the reduced
resolution version.
[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a computer program product having a computer readable
medium having a computer program recorded therein for directing a
processor to effect a method of accessing, over a network, an image
album comprising a plurality of source images, wherein a
representation of the image album is stored on a server, the
program comprising:
[0018] code for downloading, from the server, the representation of
the image album;
[0019] code for accessing a reduced resolution version of a said
one of the plurality of source images dependent upon the
representation of the album; and
[0020] code for retrieving, from a storage device located remotely
from the server, the source image corresponding to the reduced
resolution version.
[0021] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the drawings and appendices, in
which:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a system functional block diagram for a
preferred arrangement of the album creation and sharing system;
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram for a local
sub-system used by an album creator and an album recipient;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a general purpose
computer system upon which arrangements described can be
practiced;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a process flow chart of method steps for creating
and sharing an album;
[0027] FIG. 5 shows a work-flow diagram for creating and sharing an
album;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a process flow chart showing the image assembly
step of FIG. 4 in more detail;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a process flow chart showing the amend assembly
step of FIG. 4 in more detail;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a process flow chart showing the compile album
step of FIG. 4 in more detail;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a process flow chart showing the "place image from
tray into album" step of FIG. 8 in more detail;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a process flow chart showing the store/share
album step of FIG. 4 in more detail;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a process flow chart showing the share album step
of FIG. 10 in more detail;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a process flow chart of method steps for viewing
an album by an album recipient;
[0035] FIG. 13 shows an album creator GUI for viewing the available
image repositories;
[0036] FIG. 14 shows an album creator GUT for viewing a page of an
album that has been selected using the GUI of FIG. 13;
[0037] FIG. 15 shows an album creator GUI for viewing images from
the album of FIG. 14;
[0038] FIG. 16 shows an album creator GUI for collecting images
from a hard disk image repository to be used in creating a new
album;
[0039] FIG. 17 shows an album creator GUI for collecting images
from an album image repository to be used in creating a new
album,
[0040] FIG. 18 shows an album creator GUI for laying out images in
the new album;
[0041] FIG. 19 shows an album creator GUI for sharing the created
album;
[0042] FIG. 20 shows an album creator GUI of an address book used
for sharing the created album with one or more recipients;
[0043] FIG. 21 shows a recipient GUI for email notification that
the shared album is now available;
[0044] FIG. 22 shows a recipient GUI for viewing the created album;
and
[0045] Appendix A is a spread sheet representation of the GUI
transition operations and attributes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION INCLUDING BEST MODE
[0046] Where reference is made in any one or more of the
accompanying drawings to steps and/or features, which have the same
reference numerals, those steps and/or features have for the
purposes of this description the same function(s) or operation(s),
unless the contrary intention appears.
[0047] It is to be noted that the discussions contained in the
"Background" section and that above relating to prior art
arrangements relate to discussions of documents or devices which
form public knowledge through their respective publication and/or
use. Such should not be interpreted as a representation by the
present inventor(s) or patent applicant that such documents or
devices in any way form part of the common general knowledge in the
art.
[0048] From a terminology perspective, in this description, the
"album creator" creates the new "album" which can be shared by one
or more "album recipients". A recipient can elect to "merely view"
the album, or alternately, can "view and manipulate" the album. The
term "manipulate" includes copying images, and even creating a
further album using the first album as an image repository. In the
GUIs shown in FIGS. 13-22, GUI controls and GUI areas are generally
described in capital type.
[0049] FIG. 1 shows a system functional block diagram of a
preferred arrangement 1321 of the disclosed album creation and
sharing system. The system 1300 comprises a sender personal
computer (PC) system 1302 used by the album creator, receiver PC
systems 1303 and 1304 used by recipients who can share an album
that has been created by the album creator, and a central server
machine 1301 upon which the created album, and/or representations
thereof, are stored. The sender PC 1302, the recipient PCs 1303 and
1304 and the server 1301 are interconnected by a communications
network 1305. A suite of requisite software applications, which
implement the disclosed album creation and sharing method, run on
the sender PC 1302, the receiver PCs 1303 and 1304, and the server
1301.
[0050] An album creator uses the software application running on
the sender PC 1302 to create a desired album from previously stored
images. These previously stored images can be retrieved from hard
disk(s), or from previously created albums which the user has
either created by him or her-self, or has received from other
sources. Having created the new album, the creator sends
representations of the created album to the server 1301 over the
connection 1306. These representations can include images at low
and/or medium resolution. The creator can then notify selected
recipients, such as the users of the receiver PCs 1303 and 1304,
that the aforementioned album is available. This the album creator
does by sending emails, over the connections 1307, 1312 and 1310,
to the receiver PCs 1303 and 1304.
[0051] The recipients can then, using their respective PCs 1303 and
1304, access the created album and/or the representations thereof
that have been stored on the server 1301. If the recipient using
the receiver PC 1303, which is running a web browser application
1292 (see FIG. 2) wishes to merely view the created album, this can
be done by using the web browser application 1292 (which is part of
a third party part 1204 in FIG. 2) that is running on the PC 1303
to view the album. The album or representations thereof is sent
from the server 1301 on a connection 1313 and/or from the sender PC
1302 on the connection 1308/1311 in web page format using HTML,
CSS, JPG, GIF and Javascript, for example (see 1308 in FIG. 2).
[0052] Alternately, if the recipient using the PC 1304, which is
running the creator application 1202 (see FIG. 2) wishes to both
view, and possibly also to manipulate or copy the album in order,
for example, to create his or her own album, then this can be done
if the user has the requisite album creation/sharing software
application 1202 running on the receiver PC 1304 (see the
proprietary part 1202 in FIG. 2). This application 1202 is used to
view and operate upon the album or representations thereof, which
is sent from the server 1301 on the connection 1313 in XML, JPG
format.
[0053] As described above, the server 1301 is capable of providing
the album either in a form suitable for mere viewing by the web
browser 1292 running on the receiver PC 1303, or in a form suitable
for viewing and manipulation to the receiver PC 1304 that has the
creation application proprietary part 1202 (see FIG. 2) running on
the PC 1304.
[0054] From a process perspective, after the album has been
created, the sender PC 1302 sends the created album, and/or
representations thereof consisting of album data and referenced
image files which may include images at low and medium resolution,
on the connection 1306 to the server 1301 for storage. The sender
PC 1302 sends notification emails on the connections 1307, 1312 and
1310 to the respective receiver PC systems 1303 and 1304.
[0055] The sender PC 1302 can also send web pages representing
album pages or views of the album on request from the web browser
1292 running on receiver PC 1303 to the receiver PC 1303 via the
connections 1308 and 1311. The server 1301 can also send the album
and/or representations thereof in web page format to the receiver
PC 1303 via a connection 1313 for mere viewing if the PC 1303 is
running only the third party part 1204 (see FIG. 2). The server
1301 sends the album and images at low or medium resolution in XML
and JPEG format respectively to the receiver PC system 1304 via the
connection 1309 for viewing and manipulation if the PC 1304 is
running the proprietary part 1202 (see FIG. 2).
[0056] High resolution images may be requested by the receiver 1304
from the sender 1302. These high resolution images are delivered by
the sender PC 1302 via connections 1320 and 1322 from the file
server module 1280 that is running on the sender PC 1302.
Accordingly, the disclosed system 1300 can operate with the central
server 1301 serving the sender PC 1302 and the receiver PCs 1303
and 1304, or alternately, the sender PC 1302 can act as a server in
a peer-to-peer arrangement in regard to the receiver PCs 1303 and
1304.
[0057] If a user of one of the receiver PCs 1303, 1304 requests a
high resolution image from the server 1301, the central server
typically redirects the request to the sender PC 1302, or another
peer machine (not shown) where the desired high resolution image is
stored. In one example, the initial request is sent from the
receiver PC 1303 to the server 1301. The server 1301 then
re-directs the request to the sender PC 1302. The sender PC 1302
then fulfils the request using the web server module 1260 that is
running on the sender PC 1302. If the sender PC 1302 is off line
and there are no other peers on line that can fulfil the request,
then the server notifies the receiver PC 1303 of this fact. The
receiver PC 1303 can, optionally, request delayed delivery of the
high resolution image, which will then be sent by the sender PC
1302 or another peer when that machine comes on line. Alternately,
the server 1301 fulfils the request from the receiver PC 1303 to
the extent possible, by providing only the low and medium
resolution images if the high resolution image is not
available.
[0058] Accordingly, the receiver PC 1303 can request the album from
the central server 1301 if the album has been stored on the server
1301 by the sender PC 1302. Alternately, or in addition, an initial
request from the receiver PC 1303 to the central server 1301 can be
redirected from the central server 1301 to the sender PC 1302. In
such a case, the sender PC 1302 can send the album which has been
stored locally on the local disk 2110 directly to the receiver PC
1303 via the connection 1308.
[0059] FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram for a PC 1200 that
can be used by the album creator and/or an album recipient
dependent upon the sub-system elements that are included. The PC
1200 is partitioned into the proprietary part 1202, and a third
party part 1204. The third party part 1204 comprises the email
client application 1290 and the web browser application 1292 These
two third party applications respectively are sufficient for
performing the notification function indicating that a shared album
is available, and for supporting mere viewing of the created album.
Accordingly, if the PC 1200 is provisioned only with the third
party part 1204, then the PC is not suitable for album manipulation
and/or creation, but is suitable for mere album viewing.
[0060] The proprietary part 1202 has an album creation software
application comprising a viewer 1220 that is connected by a
connection 1221 to an application user interface 1210. The
application user interface 1210 communicates by a connection 1222
to an email generator 1250. The application user interface 1210
also communicates via a connection 1224 with an album creator
module 1212. The album creator module 1212 communicates via a
connection 1233 with an album storage module 1230. The album
storage module 1230 receives albums and/or images from a remote PC
via a connection 1232, and communicates via a connection 1223 with
the album viewer 1220. The email generator 1250 sends emails using
the connection 1307 (see FIG. 1), where these emails can be in MIME
format, contain HTML, and can include images in JPG format and so
on.
[0061] A web server 1260 communicates with the application user
interface 1210 via a connection 1225. The web server 1260 also
sends web pages via the connection 1308 (see FIG. 1), where these
web pages can consist of HTML, CSS, JPG, GIF or Javascript format
as well as other similar formats. The album storage module 1230
communicates by a connection 1227 with an HTML generator 1270,
which in turn communicates by a connection 1226 with the web server
1260. The album storage module 1230 also communicates by a
connection 1228 with a file server 1280, which communicates albums
and/or images on the connection 1306 (see FIG. 1), where these
albums and images can be in XML, and/or JPG or similar formats, and
high resolution images on the connection 1320 (see FIG. 1) where
these images can be in JPG or similar formats.
[0062] From a functional perspective, the system 1200 receives
albums and images on the connection 1232 and 1322 from external
image repositories. The system 1200 stores this information using
the album storage module 1230 in a local hard drive module 2110
(see FIG. 3). The aforementioned stored albums and images can be
viewed by the album viewer 1220 via the connection 1223 and can be
manipulated using the application user interface 1210 which
communicates with the album viewer 1220 via the connection 1221.
The application user interface 1210 provides selected images via
the connection 1224 to the album creator module 1212 which outputs
a created album via the connection 1233 to the album storage module
1230. This module 1230 then stores the created album in the local
disk module 2110.
[0063] The album storage module 1230 can retrieve the created album
from the local disk module 2110 and can provide the created album
via the connection 1228 to the file server 1280 which then sends
the albums consisting of album data and image data via the
connection 1306 to the central server 1301 (see FIG. 1).
High-resolution images may be transferred to the receiver PC 1304
by using connection 1320. The album storage module 1230 can also
send the created album via the connection 1227 to the HTML
generator 1270 which communicates the created album in the form of
web pages to the web server 1260 via the connection 1226. The web
server 1260 in turn sends the created album in HTML, CSS, JPG, GIF
and/or JavaScript format via the connection 1308 to the receiver PC
1303 in FIG. 1 typically by using the Hypertext Transfer protocol
HTTP.
[0064] The album storage module 1230 can retrieve the created album
from the local disk module 2110 and communicate the retrieved album
via the connection 1228 to the file server 1280, which in turn
sends the created album via the connection 1306 to the central
server 1301 (see FIG. 1). The web server 1260 provides the content
for the album display on the user interface 1210 over the
connection 1225.
[0065] Accordingly, the application user interface 1210 presents
information consisting of the album display, user activated menus,
toolbar buttons, system status, etc. on a screen 2114 (see FIG. 3)
for the user. The display for albums is created by the album viewer
1220 in combination with the web server 1260 and the display is fed
to the user interface 1210 by the connection 1221 and 1225
respectively. Information for preparing the album display for the
album viewer 1220 is supplied over a connection 1223 by the album
storage nodule 1230 which interfaces to the local disc drive
2110.
[0066] The album creator module 1212 is responsible for both
managing the creation of the albums, and for saving the albumS
using the album storage module 1230. The album creator module 1212
receives instructions from the application user interface 1210,
which is exemplified by the graphical user interfaces (GUIs) shown
in FIGS. 13-20, via the connection 1224.
[0067] The web server 1260 provides, via the connection 1225, a
display of the album to the user interface 1210 and also provides a
web page display, via the connection 1308, for external use,
typically by transmission via the communications network 1305. The
content of this web page can include, but is not limited to, HTML,
CSS, JPG, GIF and Javascript documents.
[0068] The HTML generator 1270 provides, via the connection 1226,
the visual content to the web server 1260 and obtains data, via the
connection 1227, from the album storage 1230. The email generator
1250 creates the email content and distributes, via the connection
1307, the content to the recipient PCs 1304 and 1303, typically
over the communications network 1305. This content distribution is
controlled via the user interface 1210. The email that is sent via
the connection 1307 can include, but is not limited to, HTML and
JPG documents, and the email is formatted in MIME format
(Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions).
[0069] The file server 1280 serves, via the connection 1306 and
1320, the content that is requested by other systems. This
requested content includes created albums and images that can
include, but are not limited to, XML and JPG documents including
high-resolution images. The file server 1280 obtains, via the
connection 1228, data from the album storage module. The album
storage module 1230 also receives, via the connection 1232, albums
and images from remote systems. The album storage module 1230 also
receives via the connection 1322 high resolution images from remote
systems.
[0070] The third party part 1204 comprises the software
applications 1290 and 1292 that do not participate directly in the
disclosed creation and sharing technique. However, these software
applications are used for ancillary functions relating to created
albums that are available for sharing, namely the "view only"
function and the "email notification" function. Accordingly, the
third party part 1204 includes the email client application 1290
that is used for receiving and displaying the email notifications,
and the web browser application 1292 that is used for mere viewing
of the albums.
[0071] In one arrangement, the web browser 1292 is launched from
the email application 1290 in order to merely view a received album
by selection of a link 904 (FIG. 21). The email shown by the email
application 1290 having the appearance 901 (FIG. 21) is the email
that is sent by the email generator 1250 and is in MIME format. The
email is typically sent over the communications network 1305. The
web page displayed on the web browser 1292, via the connection 1308
(see FIG. 1), is served by the web server 1260. The web page is
typically served over the communications network 1305.
[0072] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a general purpose
computer system 2100 upon which arrangements described can be
practiced. The preferred arrangement of the album creation and
sharing method uses a set of associated computer applications
hosted, for example, via the Microsoft Windows operating system on
a number of interconnected computer systems 1301-1304 (see FIG. 1).
The application programs have user interfaces which include menu
items and controls which respond to mouse and keyboard operations.
The applications can transmit data to one or more printers such as
2115 that are either directly connected to the computers or
accessed over the network 1305. The applications also have the
ability to communicate data to entities connected to the network
1305.
[0073] The method of creating and sharing image albums is thus
preferably practiced using a general-purpose computer system 2100,
such as that shown in FIG. 3 wherein the processes of FIGS. 4, and
6-12 may be implemented as software, such as application program
modules executing within the computer system 2100. The computer
system 2100 comprises the sender PC 1302 (see FIG. 1), the
recipient PCs 1304, 1303, and the central server 1301. In
particular, the steps of method of creating and sharing an image
album are effected by instructions in the software modules that are
carried out by the computers.
[0074] The instructions may be formed as one or more sets of code
modules, each for performing one or more particular tasks. The
software modules may also be divided into separate parts, some
parts performing the album creation and sharing methods, and other
parts managing user interfaces between the software application
parts and the album creator and/or album recipients. The software
may be stored in computer readable media, including the storage
devices described below, for example. The software is loaded into
the computers from the computer readable media, and then executed
by the computers. A computer readable medium having such software
or computer program recorded on it is a computer program product.
The use of the computer program products in the computers
preferably effects an advantageous system for creating and sharing
image albums.
[0075] The description relating to the computer system 2100 is
directed primarily to the album creator PC 1302 which is described
in some detail. The computers 1301, 1303 and 1304 are shown in
reduced form in FIG. 3 each comprising only a respective processor
and memory, and these computers are not described in detail.
However, it is apparent that the description of the computer 1302
is applicable to the other computers 1301, 1304 and 1303. The
computer 1302 comprises input devices such as a keyboard 2102 and
mouse 2103, output devices including the printer 2115, a display
device 2114 and loudspeakers 2117. A Modulator-Demodulator (Modem)
transceiver device 2116 is used by the computer module 1302 for
communicating to and from the communications network 1305, for
example connectable via a telephone line 2121 or other functional
medium. The modem 2116 can be used to obtain access to the
Internet, and other network systems, such as the computers 1301,
1304 and 1302 as well as a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area
Network (WAN), and may be incorporated into the computer module
1302 in some implementations.
[0076] The computer module 1302 typically includes at least one
processor unit 2105, and a memory unit 2106, for example formed
from semiconductor random access memory (RAM) and read only memory
(ROM). Similarly, the computer modules 1301, 1304 and 1303
respectively comprise processor units 2124, 2127 and 2130, and
memory units 2123, 2126 and 2129. The module 1302 also includes a
number of input/output (I/O) interfaces including an audio-video
interface 2107 that couples to the video display 2114 and
loudspeakers 2117, an I/O interface 2113 for the keyboard 2102 and
mouse 2103 and optionally a joystick (not illustrated), and an
interface 2108 for the modem 2116 and printer 2115. In some
implementations, the modem 2116 may be incorporated within the
computer module 1302, for example within the interface 2108.
[0077] The storage device 2109 is provided and typically includes a
hard disk drive 2110 and a floppy disk drive 2111. A magnetic tape
drive (not illustrated) may also be used. A CD-ROM drive 2112 is
typically provided as a non-volatile source of data. The components
2105 to 2113 of the computer module 1302, typically communicate via
an interconnected bus 2104 and in a manner which results in a
conventional mode of operation of the computer system 2100 known to
those in the relevant art. Examples of computers on which the
described arrangements can be practised include IBM-PC's and
compatibles, Sun Sparcstations or alike computer systems evolved
therefrom.
[0078] Typically, application programs relating to the album
creator functions are resident on the hard disk drive 2110 and read
and controlled in their execution by the processor 2105.
Intermediate storage of the programs and any data fetched from the
network 1305 may be accomplished using the semiconductor memory
2106, possibly in concert with the hard disk drive 2110. In some
instances, the application programs may be supplied to the user
encoded on a CD-ROM or floppy disk and read via the corresponding
drive 2112 or 2111, or alternatively may be read by the user from
the network 1305 via the modem device 2116. Still further, the
software can also be loaded into the computer system 2100 from
other computer readable media.
[0079] The term "computer readable medium" as used herein refers to
any storage or transmission medium that participates in providing
instructions and/or data to the computer system 2100 for execution
and/or processing. Examples of storage media include floppy disks,
magnetic tape, CD-ROM, a hard disk drive, a ROM or integrated
circuit, a magneto-optical disk, or a computer readable card such
as a PCMCIA card and the like, whether or not such devices are
internal or external of the computer module 1302. Examples of
transmission media include radio or infra-red transmission channels
as well as a network connection to another computer or networked
device, and the Internet or Intranets including e-mail
transmissions and information recorded on Websites and the
like.
[0080] FIG. 4 shows a process flow chart of method steps for
creating and sharing an is album. The process 1400 commences with a
start step 1401 after which a step 1403 (see FIG. 6 for more
details) assembles images from image repositories which can
comprise previously created albums, images stored on hard disk and
so on. Thereafter, a step 1405 (see FIG. 7 for more details) amends
the assembly of images. A following step 1407 (see FIG. 8 for more
details) compiles the new album, after which a step 1409 (see FIG.
10 for more details) stores and/or shares the aforementioned
created album. Finally, the process 1400 terminates with a stop
step 1411.
[0081] FIG. 5 shows a work-flow associated with creating and
sharing the new album. The work-flow 1100 commences with a step
1101 in which the album creator opens the album creation/sharing
application on the sender PC 1302 (see FIG. 1). Thereafter, in a
step 1102 the album creator creates a new album. In general the new
album that is created in the step 1102 will not contain any images
or ancillary information such as album style or theme. In a
following step 1103, the user selects images from one or both of a
hard disk module 1104 and other albums 1105. As will be described
later in regard to the various GUIs comprising the application user
interface 1210 (see FIG. 2) the images in the hard disk module 1104
and the stored albums 1105 are presented to the user in a preview
area such as 470 (see FIG. 16) or 544 (see FIG. 17).
[0082] Thereafter, in a step 1106 the user drags desired images
from the aforementioned preview area to an image tray. The image
tray 480 (see FIG. 16) or 580 (see FIG. 17) enables the user to
re-order the images, that have been initially assembled in the step
1106, in a step 1108. An arrow 1107 between the steps 1106 and 1103
depicts the fact that the user can iteratively select, and
re-select, image repositories from the available hard disks 1104
and the stored albums 1105.
[0083] Once the album creator has completed selection of desired
images from the hard disks 1104 and the albums 1105, and having
completed assembly and amendment of the assembly of the images in
the image tray in the step 1108, the album creator is then able, in
a step 1110 to lay out the album. The album creator can elect
either automatic or manual compilation, as depicted by a step 1112
and a bilateral arrow 1113. The album creator first, however,
selects backgrounds, and borders and page layout for the album in a
step 1114. Having laid out the album, the album creator then
proceeds to a step 1116 in which the album creator shares the album
by sending it to the central server 1301 and sending emails to the
recipients. As depicted by an arrow 1118 the user is also able to
directly share the images in the image tray with desired recipients
as they are automatically added to the new album before
sharing.
[0084] FIG. 6 is a process flow chart showing the image assembly
step 1403 of FIG. 4 in more detail. The process 1403 commences with
a step 1502 which selects a source of images from available image
repositories (such as the albums 1105 and the hard disks 1104 in
FIG. 5). Thereafter, a step 1503 selects a particular image from
the selected source, after which a step 1504 assembles the
aforementioned image in the visually displayed scratch pad that is
referred to in the present description as a tray. This act of
assembly is characterised by the fact that a selected image is not
only placed in the tray, but is placed in a particular position
which can, however, be changed.
[0085] Thereafter, a decision step 1505 determines whether more
images are desired from the presently selected source. If this is
the case, then the process 1403 is directed by a YES arrow back to
the step 1503. If, on the other hand, no further images are desired
from the presently selected source, then the process 1403 is
directed by a NO arrow to a decision step 1506. The step 1506
determines whether further image sources are required for the
present album from the various image repositories that are
available. If this is the case, then the process 1403 is directed
by a YES arrow back to the step 1502. If, however, no further image
sources are required, then the process 1403 is directed by a NO
arrow 1404 to the step 1405 (see FIG. 4).
[0086] FIG. 7 is a process flow chart showing the amend assembly
step 1405 of FIG. 4 in more detail. The process 1405 commences with
a decision step 1601 which determines whether it is desired to
amend the contents of the tray. This amending step refers to the
fact that the relative locations and relative order of images that
have been assembled in the tray in the step 1403 (see FIG. 4) can
be amended thereby changing the image assembly. If it is desired to
amend the tray, then the process 1405 is directed by a YES arrow to
a step 1602. The step 1602 amends the tray by shifting images in
the tray relative to each other, and/or deleting images from the
tray. Thereafter, the process 1405 is directed by an arrow 1406 to
the step 1407 (see FIG. 4). Returning to the decision step 1601, if
it is not desired to amend the tray, then the process 1405 is
directed by a NO arrow to the step 1407.
[0087] FIG. 8 is a process flow chart showing the compile album
step 1407 of FIG. 4 in more detail. The process 1407 commences with
a step 1700 that selects a theme and page layout for the created
album. The terms "theme" and "page layout" relate, respectively, to
choice of background and border for the album and number of images
per page and the layout positioning of the images on the page.
Accordingly, the step 1700 produces the background, borders, and
additional non-image material that serve to personalise and
customise the album. Thereafter, a decision step 1701 determines
whether a manual process is desired for building the album from the
images in the tray. If this is the case, then the process 1407 is
directed by a YES arrow to a step 1702. The step 1702 places a
particular image from the tray into the album. The step 1702
enables a desired image to be taken from a selected position in the
tray and placed into a selected position on a chosen page of the
album.
[0088] Thereafter, a step 1703 determines whether further images
are to be placed in the album from the tray. If this is the case,
then the process 1407 is directed by a YES arrow back to the step
1702. If, on the other hand, no further images from the tray are to
be selected, or alternately, if the tray is now empty, then the
process 1407 is directed by a NO arrow to a step 1704.
[0089] The step 1704 determines whether it is desired to re-arrange
the album that has now been manually compiled. If this is the case,
then the process 1407 is directed by a YES arrow to a step 1706.
The step 1706 enables images in the album to be moved, relative to
each other, and/or deleted from the album. Thereafter, the process
1407 is directed to a decision step 1707. The step 1707 determines
whether further re-arrangement of the album is desired. If this is
the case, then the process 1407 is directed by a YES arrow back to
the step 1706. If, on the other hand, no further album
re-arrangement is desired, then the process 1407 is directed by a
NO arrow to the step 1409 (see FIG. 4). Returning to the decision
step 1704, if it is not desired to re-arrange the album, then the
process 1407 is directed by a NO arrow to the step 1409 (see FIG.
4).
[0090] Returning to the manual build step 1701, if the manual
option is not selected, then the process 1407 is directed by a NO
arrow to a step 1705. The step 1705 takes the images that have been
assembled in the tray, and places these images automatically in the
album. This automatic placement can be based on different automatic
placement approaches Thus, for example, images can be taken
sequentially from the tray and placed sequentially in the album.
This approach takes images sequentially from the tray, which in a
preferred arrangement is a linear array of images, and places the
images from left to right and top to bottom on sequential pages of
the album. Other automatic placement approaches can also be used.
This could include arranging images chronologically by date/time of
capture, alphabetically by file name or in a random fashion.
Thereafter, the process 1407 is directed to the step 1704 relating
to possible re-arrangement of the album.
[0091] FIG. 9 is a process flow chart showing the image placement
from tray into album step 1702 of FIG. 8 in more detail. The
process 1702 commences at a step 2201 where the Universally Unique
Identifier (UUID) is generated for the image in the tray that is
being added to the album. The UUID can be created by mathematically
combining a plurality of values into one long bit string of fixed
length resulting in a unique number. Typically this is a 128-bit
value composed using a fixed algorithm from the Media Access
Control (MAC) address of the generating computer and the time it is
generated. The MAC address is itself a unique identifier associated
with networking equipment that may be present in the computer such
as Network Interface Cards (NIC).
[0092] In a following step 2203 of FIG. 9 the UUID generated in
step 2201 is assigned to the image that is being added to the album
from the tray, this being the high-resolution original source
image. In a following step 2205, the high-resolution image is
transcoded to one of medium resolution which is also assigned the
UUID from step 2201. Typically, the medium-resolution image has a
maximum resolution of 640 pixels horizontally and vertically.
[0093] At a following step 2207, the high-resolution image is
transcoded to one of low resolution which is also assigned the UUID
from step 2201. Typically, the low-resolution image has a maximum
resolution of 80 pixels horizontally and vertically. At a following
step 2209, the UUID reference to the image is added to the album.
Said single UUID reference allows retrieval of the low, medium and
high resolution images. In the preferred arrangement, the filename
used for each of the images is composed of the UUID being assigned
to the image concatenated with the resolution of the image, said
resolution indicated in the form of a two character short form of
the resolution. Another addressing technique could be employed,
such as embedding the UUID and image resolution in the metadata of
the images. Furthermore, unique addresses could be assigned to each
of the high, moderate and low resolution images.
[0094] FIG. 10 is a process flow chart showing the store/share
album step 1409 of FIG. 4 in more detail. The process 1409
commences with a decision step 1800 which determines whether the
album is to be shared or not. If the album is to be shared, then
the process 1409 is directed by a YES arrow to a step 1801. The
step 1801 chooses recipients with whom the album is to be shared.
This choosing step involves choosing the intended recipients of the
album by means of an address book containing user identity code,
image, email address and name.
[0095] In the preferred arrangement, the identity code of each of
the recipients is stored in the album. This code may be an
identifier assigned by the server thereby having global scope or a
locally generated encoding of the recipients email address. The
user may also choose access control for the album, including
whether the album is to be considered public or private. A
following step 1805 stores the album on the local storage system
2110 (see FIG. 2). Thereafter, a step 1803, that is performed by
the album creator PC 1302, shares the album by both storing the
album on the central server 1301 and notifying the selected
recipients as will be described in regard to FIG. 11. Although the
steps, 1803 and 1805 are shown in a particular order in FIG. 10,
clearly this order can be changed without affecting the process
1409. After the album has been stored in the step 1805, the process
1409 is directed by the arrow 1410 to the STOP step 1411 (see FIG.
4).
[0096] FIG. 11 is a process flow chart showing the share album step
1803 of FIG. 10 in more detail. The process 1803 commences with a
step 1900 which uploads representations of the album to the central
server 1301 (see FIG. 1). The low and medium resolution images for
each of the images in the album have previously been created at
step 1702 (see FIG. 22) during creation of the album. The low and
medium resolution images are uploaded to the server along with the
other album data contained in the image file. High resolution
images may be uploaded at a future time upon request. It is the
responsibility of the central server 1301 (see FIG. 13) to store
the album and the low and medium resolution images and serve them
upon request. In the preferred arrangement the server also stores
all locations of the machines storing high-resolution images. This
allows the server to redirect a request for a high-resolution image
to another machine.
[0097] Thereafter, a step 1901 sends a notification email to the
selected recipients. The email contains at least one unique
reference which can be in the form of a hyperlink allowing a
recipient of the album to retrieve the album from the central
server. The email may also include an image providing a
representation of the album that has bas been created and shared.
The process 1803 is then directed by the arrow 1804 to the step
1805 (sec FIG. 10).
[0098] FIG. 12 is a process flow chart of method steps for viewing,
by an elected recipient, a shared album. The process 2000 commences
with a decision step 2002 that determines whether a notification
email has been received (see 1310 in FIG. 1). If this is not the
case, then the process 2000 is directed by a NO arrow back to the
step 2002. If, however, a notification is received, then the
process 2000 is directed by a YES arrow to a step 2003.
[0099] The step 2003 opens the email which provides notification
that the album is now available for sharing. The received email,
according to one arrangement, contains two web-hyperlinks,
providing the recipient of the email with two corresponding options
for accessing the album. A subsequent step 2004 determines whether
the "view only" option is desired. If this is the case, then the
process 2000 is directed by a YES arrow to a step 2005. The step
2005 involves selecting the "view only" link in the received email
such as 904 (see FIG. 21), after which a step 2006 views the album
using the web browser application 1292 (see FIG. 2). The hyperlink
selected at the step 2005 contains a unique identifier for the
album. This identifier is included as part of a link to the central
server allowing the central server to serve the requested album.
The step 2006 enables the user to both view the images that are
downloaded from the server, and to request that higher resolution
images be downloaded. The higher resolution images are requested by
using the same image UUID as used to access the low and medium
resolution images, however the request specifies to the server that
the high resolution version is required. The server may in such a
case redirect the request to a peer that is known to be storing the
image.
[0100] In the preferred arrangement the user is required to log in
to view an album that is marked as "private". No such login is
required if the album was marked as "public" by the sender. A
following decision step 2007 determines whether further viewing is
required. If this is the case, then the process 2000 is directed by
a YES arrow back to the step 2006. If no further viewing is
required, then the process 2000 is directed by a NO arrow back to
the step 2002.
[0101] Returning to the step 2004, if the recipient wishes to both
view the album, and also possibly wishes to manipulate or use the
album, and if the recipient has on his or her PC 1304 the software
applications in the proprietary part 1202, then the process 2000 is
directed by a NO arrow to a step 2008 that selects the
"create/share" hyperlink that is provided in the email such as 905
(see FIG. 21). The process is then directed to a step 2010 that
views the album using the creation application 1202 (see FIG. 2).
The hyperlink selected at the step 2008 contains a unique
identifier for the album. This identifier is received as part of
the link to the central server, allowing the central server to
serve the requested album. The step 2010 enables the user to both
view the images that are downloaded from the server, and to request
that higher resolution images be downloaded.
[0102] In the described arrangements, the higher resolution images
are requested by using the same image UUID as for the display of
low and medium resolution images and specifying to the server that
the high resolution version is required. The server may in such a
case redirect the request to a peer that is known to be storing the
image. Thereafter, the process 2000 is directed by an arrow 2009 to
the step 1401 in FIG. 4. This option enables the recipient of the
album to manipulate the received album thereby creating a new album
which draws material from the received album which now constitutes
an image repository.
[0103] It should be noted, having regard to FIG. 1, that once a
created album is uploaded to the central server 1301, that
particular album can no longer be modified as the local album and
the central server album must match. Instead, new albums can be
created using the aforementioned album as an image repository.
[0104] FIG. 13 shows an album creator GUT 101 for viewing the
available image repositories. The GUI 101 comprises a menu
selection area 110, a toolbar button area 120, an album browser
area 130, an album viewing area 140, and a status display area
150.
[0105] The menu selection area 110 consists of a series of headings
that, upon selection using a pointing device such as the mouse 2103
in FIG. 3, cause a menu of operations to be presented on the screen
2114 in FIG. 3 from which an operation may be selected,
[0106] The toolbar button area 120 consists of a series of buttons
that may be selected with the mouse 2103. The buttons are not
necessarily available under all conditions, as is commonly found in
such applications. A toolbar button, for example the NEW button
127, that is unavailable may be shown with different appearance in
order to indicate this unavailable status. As the mouse 2103 is
positioned over a toolbar button, the appearance of the button can
change to indicate that selection can be performed.
[0107] The album browser area 130 is used to display the multimedia
albums that are available as image repositories. The album browser
area 130 comprises a number of components. At the top is a Sort
Mode Selector 132 which provides a means for choosing the order in
which the multimedia albums appear within the album browser area
130. It is possible to select various sorting criteria including
(i) date/time of creation of the album as is presently shown at
136, (ii) alphabetical sorting by album title, (iii) alphabetical
sorting by author name, and (iv) alphabetical sorting by status of
the album whether it be a received album, saved album or shared
album. The available sorting modes are shown on a drop-down list of
options that is presented when the Sort Mode Selector 132 is
activated.
[0108] The album browser area 130 also contains a number of
groupings of albums such as 162, each grouping having a heading
such as 138. Within the grouping 162 there are displayed a number
of thumbnail images 164 each representing one album. Adjacent to
this thumbnail is the title 166 of the album. In one arrangement
the thumbnail image 164 is an image of the first page of the album
repository, however other alternative images can be used for the
thumbnails including a title page for the album, a representative
image of the album or a selected page from the album.
[0109] The heading 138 of the grouping can be selected by using the
mouse 2103 thereby causing the appearance of the heading 138 to be
altered to thereby indicate that the selected grouping such as 160
is active. Upon selection with the mouse on the heading 160, the
album viewing area 140 is updated to show the title page for each
of the albums in the selected grouping 162. The viewing area 140
shows an image 144 for each album in the grouping 162, and a
corresponding title 146 of the album. The album image 144 is larger
than the corresponding thumbnail 164 shown in the album browser
area 130 thus allowing easier selection from within the group 162.
At the top of the viewing area 140 a name 148 of the grouping is
shown.
[0110] Selection of a particular album can be performed by
selecting, with the mouse 2103, one of the album images 164 or 144
or one of the corresponding album titles 166 or 146. When this
selection is performed, the album selected becomes the active album
on the display 140. Highlighting of the display may occur during
selection, as shown by sunburst patterns surrounding the album
images 164 and 146, and the GUI is changed to an alternative view
as shown in FIG. 14.
[0111] FIG. 14 shows an album creator GUI 201 for viewing a page of
an album that has been selected using the GUI of FIG. 13. Aspects
of the screen layout are similar to FIG. 13, for example the menu
selection area 210 and toolbar button area 220 are similar to the
corresponding menu selection area 110 and toolbar button area 120.
An album browser area 230 is also shown, this behaving in a similar
fashion to the corresponding browser area 130 in FIG. 13. An album
viewing area 240, operating in a similar fashion to the album
viewing area 140 in FIG. 13, displays the content of the single
album that has been selected in the browser 230, the displayed
album having a highlighted image and title 232.
[0112] The album viewing area 240 comprises a title bar 242, an
album page display 244 and a page navigator area 246. The album
page display 244 shows a representation of a page of the selected
album, and consists of a background image 264, a plurality of
images 274 and decorative borders for the images 284. A caption for
each image (not shown) may appear below the images 274. The page
navigator area 246 comprises a plurality of images 266 each
representing a page in the selected album. An image 266 may be
selected with the mouse 2103 to thereby cause the main display 244
to change to a different page.
[0113] The "Zoom-button" 222 can be selected to thereby cause the
main display 244 to reduce in size. The "Zoom+button" 224 can be
selected to cause the main display 244 to increase in size. The
resolution of the image chosen for the display can be made to vary
depending on the zoom factor. For example, when the image is very
small on the display it is most appropriate to use a low-resolution
image. Where the display is zoomed in it is more appropriate to use
a high-resolution image. This ensures the best balance between
display speed and displayed resolution. The album image 275 can be
selected with the mouse 2103 and consequently a highlight 276
(depicted by a sunburst pattern) is shown on the screen 244 to
indicate that selection has taken place.
[0114] In the state where an image 275 is selected, the properties
button 228 can be selected to thereby cause a popup display to
appear over the album display 240 showing the properties of the
selected image 275. Also in the state in which the image 275 has
been selected, the print button 229 can be selected to thereby
cause the selected image 275 to be printed on the printer 2115 in
FIG. 3. Also in the state in which the image 275 has been selected,
a save button 225 can be selected to thereby cause the selected
image 275 to be saved into a file on the disc 2110 with the
directory path and file name being selected by the user. Similarly,
if the edit button 221 is selected, an image editor (not shown) can
be activated, thereby allowing the image to be changed, for example
by applying operations such as cropping, colour correction, red-eye
reduction, brightness alteration, contrast alteration and other
editing operations.
[0115] A resolution indicator (not shown) also appears over each
image and indicates whether the high-resolution image is available.
When the high-resolution image is not present a button (not shown)
may be selected allowing the high-resolution image to be
downloaded. This is done, in the described examples, by means of
sending a request to the server using the same UUID as the low or
medium resolution image and requesting that the high-resolution
image be supplied.
[0116] As previously noted, different addressing schemes can be
used to designate the high, medium and low resolution images. The
server may redirect the request to another machine and if no other
machine is available it may indicate that the image can only be
delivered later. The user can then be given a choice as to whether
they wish to request the image for later delivery via the central
server. In the preferred arrangement, the resolution indicator and
the button are combined, the resultant button having the purpose of
saving the image if the high resolution image is available or has
been downloaded.
[0117] If the SLIDE SHOW button 223 is selected, the album that is
currently selected 232 is displayed in a way that in the preferred
arrangement occupies the full screen area and has a presentation
that allows for advancement to another image or album page after a
selectable time. The changeover may be accompanied by transition
effects between the two appearances that can indicate cross fades,
wipes, dissolves, cuts, intermediate fades to white or black,
etc.
[0118] Within the album browser area 230, there are two buttons 234
and 236 for choosing the mode of display of the album viewing area
240. The button 234 is shown, by a surrounding "sunburst pattern"
as being in the selected state, to thereby indicate that the button
234 depicts the currently active mode of the display 240. This
active state means that the display is in "album mode" in which the
images 274 in the album are shown in their respective positions on
the album page 244. An alternative display mode can be realised
when the user selects the mode button 236 with the mouse 2103, to
thereby activate a display mode referred to as "image mode", as can
be seen in FIG. 15.
[0119] FIG. 15 shows an album creator GUI 301 for viewing images
from the selected album of FIG. 14 in which the album has been
selected and the images of the album are now displayed. Aspects of
the screen layout are similar to FIG. 14, for example the menu
selection area 310 and toolbar button area 320 function in a manner
similar to the respective areas 210 and 220 in FIG. 14.
[0120] FIG. 15 has an album browser area 330 that behaves similarly
to the album browser area 220 in FIG. 14, and an album viewing area
340 that displays the title 342 of the album that has been selected
in the browser 330, and having a highlighted image and title 332
that is highlighted 333 within the browser 330. The album viewing
area 340 displays the content of the single selected album, and
shows the title 342 of the selected album plus an array of
individual images 344 from the selected album arranged in a grid
pattern. Each position in the grid has a square shape in the
illustrated example, and is populated with an image from the
selected album. The orientation of any displayed image 344, whether
it be positioned in landscape mode or portrait mode in the selected
album, fills the corresponding grid cell thereby scaling the image
to suit the size of the grid cell. The largest dimension of the
image, either horizontal or vertical, is scaled to exactly fit the
length of the side of the square grid cell. Below each grid cell is
displayed a file name 346 of the particular image, truncated if
necessary to suit the screen space that is available.
[0121] An image 346 can be selected by use of the mouse 2103 in
which case operations may be performed as described for FIG. 14
such as zoom 322 and 324, image properties 328, print 329, save 325
and edit 321. If the display mode button 334 is selected with the
mouse 2103, then the GUI display returns to that shown in FIG.
14.
[0122] FIG. 16 shows an album creator GUI 401 for collecting images
from a bard disc image repository to be used in creating a new
album as depicted by the assemble images step 1403 in FIG. 4. This
mode is entered by selection of the NEW button either at 127, 227
or 327 in FIGS. 3, 14, or 15 respectively, which brings up the new
GUI screen layout 401. This layout 401 includes a menu selection
area 410 and toolbar button area 420 that function similarly to the
corresponding areas 310 and 320 respectively in FIG. 15. There is
also an area 430 where creation of the album is performed. Within
this area 430 there is a title area 442, and an area with tabs
showing each of the main operations performed in this view 430
namely COLLECT PHOTOS 432, LAYOUT ALBUM 434 and SHARE ALBUM
436.
[0123] In FIG. 16, the COLLECT PHOTOS tab 432 is shown as being the
selected mode of operation by a surrounding "sunburst" pattern.
This mode allows images that are to be incorporated into an album
to be selected from either the file system, when a FROM HARD DISC
tab 450 is selected, or from other albums, when a FROM ALBUMS tab
452 is selected. The aforementioned selection process when FROM
HARD DISC is selected involves choosing a directory using a
directory tree 460. In the illustrated case, a directory
"Pre-School" has been selected, this being shown by the fact that
the directory is "open" on the display 462. When this selection is
performed, the display area 470 shows a grid of images representing
those images that are present in the selected directory 462. The
display grid is similar to the one shown in FIG. 15, where each
cell is square and contains an image 474 from the selected
directory, and a corresponding filename 476 of the image.
[0124] When presented with the display as shown in FIG. 16, the
user can choose an image 474 and add it to the image tray 480
thereby creating an image assembly in the tray 480. This may be
performed by selecting the image 474 with a mouse click, and then
dragging and dropping the image in the image tray area 480. When
the image is dropped into the image tray area 480, according to one
arrangement, the image is added after the end of the list 486 that
may already be present. Alternately, the image to be added to the
tray can be added at an arbitrary position among the images already
in the tray by insertion of the image at the dropping point in the
list causing all the following images on the tray to be shifted
along by one position.
[0125] According to the illustrated arrangement, the image tray 480
consists of a rectangular grid of images 484, although usually
there is only one row of the grid visible at any time. When the
displayed row of images in the tray is full, a scroll bar 482 may
be manipulated to bring into view other rows of the tray.
Alternately, multiple rows of the rectangular tray grid may be
displayed by increasing the size of the tray window, by dragging
the GUI element containing the buttons 490, 492 and 494 upwards. In
a preferred arrangement, the tray 480 is a one-dimensional linear
grid array broken into multiple rows, rather than a two dimensional
grid array. This enables the album creator to visualise the
arrangement of the album as a linear sequence of images, thus
providing an intuitive framework for creating the album that is not
provided in as ready a manner by a two dimensional grid array
arrangement.
[0126] The image tray 480 is a holding area for assembled images
484 before the images are placed into a newly created album. Adding
an image to the image tray 480 does not remove the image from the
image repository in the file system, or from the display area 470.
Operations may be performed to amend the assembly of images as
depicted by step 1405 in FIG. 14. The images 484 in the image tray
480 may be re-ordered by using drag and drop within the image tray
area. For example, the image 486 can be positioned as the first
image in the tray 480 by dragging the image 486 to the left and
releasing the mouse pointer in the region 481 before the first
image in the tray. When this is done, the display 480 is re-drawn
with the new ordering of images.
[0127] The images 484 in the image tray 480 can all be removed by
selecting the CLEAR ALL button 494. A single image 486 in the tray
can be selected with the mouse 2103 and then removed by pressing
the CLEAR button 490. Every image 474 in the image display area 470
can be selected simultaneously by clicking the SELECT ALL button
492. This function is useful when all images within a directory 462
are to be added to the image tray 480 by means of drag and drop
actions. An image 484 may also appear multiple times within the
image tray 480.
[0128] FIG. 17 shows an album creator GUI 501 for collecting images
from an album image repository to be used in creating the new album
as depicted by the assemble images step 1403 in FIG. 4. In the
screen shown, the FROM ALBUMS 552 mode is active, as shown by a
sunburst pattern, after selection of the FROM ALBUMS button 452 in
FIG. 16. In this mode, the image tray, now designated as 580, can
be populated by adding images such as 574 from an existing album
such as the selected album 532.
[0129] The lower part of the screen for the album display is
substantially similar to the screen shown in FIG. 14 having an
album page display 544, and a page navigator area 546. Images such
as 574 can be added to the image tray 580 by means of a drag and
drop process using the mouse 2103 Accordingly, if one of the album
images 574 is selected with the mouse 2103 and dragged into the
image tray area 580 after which the mouse button is released, the
image tray 580 shows an additional image 586. It is possible to
select a new album within the album browser area 530 and display
the selected new album in the album viewer 544, thereby allowing
images 574 from different albums to be added to the image tray 580.
Image tray 580 operations are provided in a similar manner as for
image tray 480, for example, re-ordering, selection and clear, as
per step 1405, FIG. 4.
[0130] FIG. 18 shows an album creator GUI 601 for laying out images
in the new album as depicted by the compile album step 1407 in FIG.
4. The screen 601 shown is displayed in response to the user
selecting the LAYOUT ALBUM button 534 or 434 shown in FIG. 17 or
FIG. 16, respectively. The consequence of this action is indicated
to the user by means of illumination of the layout album tab 634
which is depicted in FIG. 18 by the sunburst pattern surrounding
the LAYOUT ALBUM legend.
[0131] This GUI 601 provides the means to lay out the images in a
page of the album. The first step is to choose the desired images
in the image tray 680 (which is equivalent to the corresponding
trays such as 580 in FIG. 17) and then to add them to the album
page 644. A plurality of image tray images 684 can be added to the
album page 644 by dragging a desired image 684 from the image tray
680 with the mouse 1203, and dropping the desired image 684 on the
album page 644. As this is done for each selected image tray image,
the selected image 684 is added to the album in the order in which
the image appears in the image tray 680 and the image is removed
from the tray. If the album page 644 fills with images 674,
additional pages are created and added to the album to accommodate
the selected images 684. These pages 666 are shown in the page
navigator 646. Alternately, an image 684 at a desired position in
the tray 680 can be dragged and dropped into the album page 644 at
a desired location on the page 644 causing the image to be inserted
at that point in the album and previous images to be shifted along
by one position in the album.
[0132] A facility is provided for automatic addition of images from
the image tray 680 to the album page 644. This can be enabled by
selecting an ADD IMAGES AUTOMATICALLY button 698. When this button
698 is enabled, the images 684 in the image tray 680 are added to
the album page 644 as soon as the LAYOUT ALBUM tab 634 is
activated. There is no need to manually add the images in this
case. The second step of laying out the album is to choose the
appearance of the album. This is done by application of a "theme"
for the album, or for a page of the album. Themes may be chosen
using the THEMES control 650. The presently active theme for the
page 644 is shown as "birthdays" at 650, and in particular,
"balloons" at 652. Each theme is represented by an image 654 and
adjoining textual description 656. The theme may be changed by
selecting either a theme image 654 or corresponding theme text
656.
[0133] When this is done, the album page display 644 is drawn to
show how the album page looks with the chosen theme 652 applied.
The chosen theme 652 determines the display of the background of
the album page 664. The chosen theme 652 also determines the
appearance of the borders 684 around the images 674 in the album
page. In the preferred arrangement, the album creator can adjust
the colour of the background 664 for the chosen theme 652 by means
of the colour selector 691.
[0134] In addition, the creator can adjust the colour of the
borders 684 for the chosen theme 652 by means of the colour
selector 695. Thus, for each theme 652 there are many possible
colour combinations from which the album creator can choose. In the
preferred arrangement, the range of colours offered in the colour
selectors 691 and 695 is chosen by a graphic designer in order to
ensure the album appearance is pleasing regardless of the artistic
skills of the end user.
[0135] The third step of laying out the album is for the album
creator to select the layout of the album page. This is done by
using user interface controls in a display area 699. The album
creator can choose the number of images that are to appear on the
page 664 by using a selector 690. In the preferred arrangement, a
choice of 1 to 6 or 12 images per page is provided. The actual
arrangement of images on the page ie "Layout Style" can also be
chosen by means of a selector 692. The selector 692 provides a
graphical representation 694 of the options for image layout on the
page 664, and indicates the option that is currently active, namely
693, by means of a sunburst pattern.
[0136] The album creator can choose whether to have captions (not
shown) shown on the album page 644. This is enabled or disabled by
selecting a CAPTION button 696. The caption for each image 684 (not
shown) appears at a position below or adjacent to the image. The
album creator can choose whether to have page numbers (not shown)
shown on the album page 644. This is enabled or disabled by
selecting a PAGE NUMBERS button 697. The page number for each page
644 (not shown) appears at the bottom comer of the page in the
preferred arrangement. After performing the three layout steps
described, the layout of the album is complete.
[0137] In the preferred arrangement, the album page display 644 is
created by rendering an HTML document to the screen 2114 (see FIG.
3). The document is composed of references to each of the images
674 in the album and a number of Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) files
The CSS files are used to implement the theme choice 652 including
background colour 691 and border colour 695 that the album creator
has made and the page layout choice that has been made via the
button 693. One CSS file is used for the background 664, one CSS
file is used for the border 684, and one CSS file is used for the
page layout 693 that have been selected by the user. The background
and border CSS files may in turn refer to other files containing
images.
[0138] In the preferred arrangement, the background CSS file refers
to a single image file that is replicated across the whole display
area 664. Other arrangements are possible, such as the background
colour being set internally within the CSS file or a design being
drawn by use of scripting such as by execution of a JavaScript
program. In the preferred arrangement, the border CSS file refers
to a series of eight images, said images being used to create the
appearance 684 around the four corners of the album images 674 and
on each of the left, right, top and bottom sides of the album
images 674. The left and right side border images are stretched in
the vertical direction typically by pixel replication and/or
interpolation to suit the height of the album image 674 and then
placed beside the album images 674. The top and bottom border
images are similarly stretched but in the horizontal direction to
suit the width of the album images 674 and placed above and below
the album images 674.
[0139] In the preferred arrangement, the colour of the caption (not
shown) is set within the background CSS file, to provide sufficient
contrast with the chosen background appearance 664. In the
preferred arrangement, a CSS file defines the layout for the page
644, and determines the positioning of each of the images 674 on
the album page display, the position and font style of the caption
for each of the images and the position and font style of the page
number. The font style in each case provides control of the
particular font family, font weight and font size used.
[0140] FIG. 19 shows an album creator GUI 701 for sharing the
created album as described in relation to the step 1409 in FIG. 4.
The screen shown is displayed in response to the user selecting the
SHARE ALBUM button 636 as shown in FIG. 18. The third stage is
indicated to the user by means of illumination of the share album
tab 736 as depicted by the associated sunburst pattern. This GUI
701 provides the means to complete the album and share the album
with selected recipients. The preferred arrangement has display
fields for displaying potential recipients 720, selected recipients
710, an album title 730, an album message 740 and an album page
preview 750. The button for transmitting the album is the SHARE
ALBUM NOW button 760.
[0141] The Contacts display area 720 shows a grid of images for
users that are listed in an address book. Each displayed entry
shows a small image 722 and a caption 724 containing the name of
the potential recipient. A new entry in the address book can be
added by selecting the NEW CONTACT button 726. The effect of this
selection is to bring up the Address Book GUI 801 as shown in FIG.
20. An existing entry can be modified by selecting, for example,
the image 722 or the associated caption 724, and then pressing a
MODIFY CONTACT button 728. When this is done, a display equivalent
to 810 in FIG. 20 appears.
[0142] The display of all the selected recipients for the album
appears as the Recipient List 710. This display comprises images
712 for each of the selected recipients, plus a caption 714 showing
their name. A recipient can be added from the potential recipient
area 720 to the selected Recipient List 710 by selecting the image
722 or caption 724 and dragging this with the mouse 2103 to the
recipient list area 710. When this is done, the image 722 and
caption 724 is added in to the recipient list 710 and is displayed
as an image 712 and caption 714. A potential recipient appears in
the recipient list 710 only once. Entries in the selected
recipients list 710 can be presented alphabetically using the name
of the user 714 as there is usually no requirement for the user to
choose the ordering of the recipients in the list.
[0143] As an alternative to the drag and drop method just
described, a potential recipient can be added to the selected
recipient list 710 by selection of the potential recipient in the
list 720 and then by pressing the ADD TO RECIPIENT LIST button 725.
The recipient list 710 can be cleared and all entries thus removed
by pressing the CLEAR ALL button 716. An entry in the selected
recipients list 710 can be removed by selection of the
corresponding image 712 or caption 714 and by subsequent pressing
of the CLEAR button 718. When an entry is added to the recipients
list 710 from the potential recipients list 720, the entry remains
displayed in the potential recipients list 720.
[0144] The album title 442 can be defined in this GUI 701 by
entering the title within an ALBUM TITLE box 730. A message or
comment may be added to the album by entering it within an ALBUM
COMMENT field 740. This comment field can be displayed by choosing
the PROPERTIES button 228 (FIG. 14) when displaying an album. The
comment is also visible to a selected recipient in the notification
email 910 (FIG. 21) that is sent to the recipient to advise that
the album is available for sharing. A preview of the album is shown
in an ALBUM PREVIEW area 750. The display 750 shows a page of the
album. The page number and number of pages in the album is shown at
752.
[0145] The album creator can advance to the next page of the album
by pressing a NEXT PAGE button 754 or may go back a page by
pressing a PREVIOUS PAGE button 756. When this is done the
appropriate page is displayed in the field 750. The album is
distributed to those in the recipients list 710 when the SHARE
ALBUM NOW button 760 is pressed. The album is saved locally and a
notification email is sent to the recipients 710. The screen
display then changes back to the GUI 201 shown in FIG. 14 where the
album selected 232 is the one that has just been shared.
[0146] FIG. 20 shows an album creator GUI 801 of an address book
used for sharing the created album with one or more recipients as
depicted by the step 1409 in FIG. 4. The GUI 801 is shown after the
user has selected the NEW CONTACT button 726 in FIG. 19. The
display is characterised by the presence of a pop-up address book
810. The display shows a list of existing contacts (ie potential
recipients) 820 and a new contact 822 is shown highlighted in this
list by a sunburst pattern. The details of this new contact 822 are
shown in a CONTACT DETAILS area 830.
[0147] This area 830 comprises a display name 832 for the user, a
selector 834 for the screen image, a view of an image 836 for the
user, a field 838 for entering the name of the user, email
addresses 840 for the user, a field 842 for entering notes on the
user, and buttons 844 for selecting the current active email
address for the user. Once the contact details 830 for a user (ie a
potential recipient) have been entered, a SAVE button 846 is
pressed, the details are stored in the address book, and are added
to the potential recipient list 820. The pop-up screen 810 for the
address book is dismissed by pressing a CLOSE button 848. The
display then returns to the previous display. The address book
pop-up screen 810 can be activated at any time by pressing an
ADDRESS BOOK button such as 723 in the GUI 701.
[0148] FIG. 21 shows a recipient GUI 901 providing the recipient
with an email notification that the shared album is now available.
The GUI 901 appearance is that viewed by a recipient in the
recipient list 710 after the SHARE ALBUM NOW BUTTON 760 has been
pressed by the sender and the email has been transferred to the
recipient. The GUI 901 shows a shared album 906 having a title 902,
representative images 903, a "view only" hyperlink 904, and a
"manipulate and view" hyper)ink 905.
[0149] FIG. 22 shows a recipient GUI 1001 for viewing the created
album. The GUI appearance is that of an album viewed by a recipient
in the recipient list 710 when they open up and view the album in
their web browser application typically after selection of the
hyperlink 904. A displayed album page 1002 can be magnified or
shrunken using appropriate ZOOM controls 1004. The pages can be
viewed in sequence using PREVIOUS and NEXT controls 1005 and 1006
respectively. A desired page 1003 not presently displayed in a
viewing area 1007 can be selected by clicking on the desired page
1003 using the mouse 2103.
[0150] By selection of the INDEX button 1010 the images in the
album may be viewed as a grid of images in a similar manner to the
display 340 in FIG. 15. By selection of the SLIDESHOW button 1012
images in the album may be viewed with a pause in between when the
image appears and when the following one is displayed. The
changeover may be accompanied by transition effects.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0151] It is apparent from the above that the arrangements
described are applicable to the image processing industries.
[0152] The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present
invention, and modifications and/or changes can be made thereto
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, the
embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.
1 MP05 Figure State Mode Sub Mode Sub Sub Mode Description Screen
ID 2 B1 Browse album Album or nothing selected Album view mode
Display album page 2 3 B2 Album or nothing selected Image view mode
Display album images 3 1 B3 Category entry selected Thumbnail view
View album thumbnails 1 4 C1 Collect Photos From Hard Disk Select
disk images 4 5 C2 From Albums Album view mode Select images from
album page 5 n/a C3 From Albums Image view mode Select images from
album images n/a n/a C4 From Albums Thumbnail view View album
thumbnails, no selection n/a 6 L1 Layout Album Lay out the album 6
7 S1 Share Album Choose recipients, send album 7 8 A1 Address Book
Address book entry 8 n/a W1 Slide Show Sequential display of all
album images n/a P1 Properties Show properties of album or image
n/a R1 Login/Registralion User login with registration facility n/a
V1 Save changes Request to save unsaved changes n/a D1 Delete
confirmation Confirm delete operation with user Toolbar button MP05
New Edit Address Figure State Type Album Album Share Save Delete
Book Properties 2 B1 main screen Y->C1 Y->L1 Y->S1 N
Y->D1 Y->A1 Y->P1 3 B2 main screen Y->C1 Y->L1
Y->S1 N Y->D1 Y->A1 Y->P1 1 B3 main screen Y->C1 N N
N N Y->A1 N 4 C1 main screen N N Y->S1 Y N Y->A1 Y->P1
5 C2 main screen N N Y->S1 Y N Y->A1 Y->P1 n/a C3 main
screen N N Y->S1 Y N Y->A1 Y->P1 n/a C4 main screen N N
Y->S1 Y N Y->A1 Y->P1 6 L1 main screen N N Y->S1 Y
Y->D1 Y->A1 Y->P1 7 S1 main screen N N N Y N Y->A1
Y->P1 8 A1 pop-up dialog n/a W1 pop-up screen n/a P1 pop-up
dialog n/a R1 pop-up dialog n/a V1 pop-up dialog n/a D1 pop-up
dialog Toolbar button Create mode tabs/buttons View mode MP05 Zoom
Slide Collect Layout Share button Figure State +/- Show Print
Photos Album Album Close Image 2 B1 Y Y->W1 Y N N N N Y->B2 3
B2 Y Y->W1 Y N N N N N 1 B3 Y N N N N N N N 4 C1 Y N N N
Y->L1 Y->S1 Y->V1->Bprev N 5 C2 Y N N N Y->L1
Y->S1 Y->V1->Bprev Y->C3 n/a C3 Y N N N Y->L1
Y->S1 Y->V1->Bprev N n/a C4 Y N N N Y->L1 Y->S1
Y->V1->Bprev N 6 L1 Y N Y Y->Cprev N Y->S1
Y->V1->Bprev 7 S1 N N N Y->Cprev Y->L1 N
Y->V1->Bprev 8 A1 Y->prev n/a W1 Y->prev n/a P1
Y->prev n/a R1 Y->prev n/a V1 Y->prev n/a D1 Y->prev
Image tray View mode Category button button MP05 button Drop Cat
Clear Select Figure State Album list value Album Page heading Add
Clear All All 2 B1 N Y Album title 3 B2 Y->B1 Y Y Y Album title
1 B3 N Y Y Y Category value 4 C1 N Directory path Y Y Y 5 C2 N
Source album title Y Y Y n/a C3 Y->C2 Source album title Y Y Y
n/a C4 N Category value Y Y Y 6 L1 Album title Y Y Y 7 S1 "Select
friends . . . " 8 A1 n/a W1 n/a P1 n/a R1 n/a V1 n/a D1 MP05 Page
Figure State Navigator Other operations 2 B1 Y 3 B2 N 1 B3 N Select
an album thumbnail 4 C1 N Select directory open/close directory
tree select image. drag image to tray 5 C2 Y Select image. drag
image to tray n/a C3 Y Select image. drag image to tray n/a C4 Y
Select an album thumbnail 6 L1 Y Select image select in image tray
drag image to tray drag from image tray to album. theme selection
images/page. layout style. caption options page numbering
background/border selection 7 S1 N Select user icon drag user icon
to recipients list. recipients buttons add. clear clear all. album
comment send now add contact album title 8 A1 n/a W1 n/a P1 n/a R1
n/a V1 n/a D1
* * * * *